The role of fatigue must not be underestimated when studying the causes of crashes. Driver fatigue crashes are not only a matter of having spent too long behind the wheel; fatigue can also be caused by too little sleep, stress, or time of the day. According to a conservative estimate based on studies abroad, driver fatigue is involved in
10-15% of all severe crashes (Nordbakke et al, 2007). Although technical aids that prevent fatigue crashes are being developed, they are not yet ready for use. In the road haulage industry, the only means that are presently available to combat fatigue crashes are consistently applying (and enforcing) the driving and resting hours and a
safety culture. Information campaigns should make non-professional car drivers aware of the risks of fatigue.